Is it possible to beat the casino long term?

Every time we enter a casino – whether it’s a physical building or the virtual environment of an online casino – we have that hope that today is going to be the day to take the house to the cleaners. Of course, primarily playing games at the casino is exactly what it sounds: good fun and entertainment. However, it would be a lie to say that we weren’t hoping to make a little profit at the same time. And the fact is that some days we do, our number comes up in lottery, we get a streak of wins in blackjack, or we can’t stop hitting bonus rounds on the slots. So it is certainly true that luck can shine upon us on any given today.

The question we are posing today is slightly different though, namely: is it actually possible to beat the casino not only on a one-time basis, but in the long term? The cynics out there may not believe this, but the answer is a resounding ‘Yes!’. Not only can you beat the house on a one-time basis, but you can do it repeatedly and make some proper money from your casino play. However, barring outrageous luck this will only be possible if you use your head, and also use every edge that is on offer to you in from the casino.

What exactly do we mean by ‘using your head’? Well, at a basic level, logging on to your online casino site while under the influence is a big no-no. Assuming you are smart enough to avoid that pitfall, then you would want to be very careful as to which games you’re playing, and which bets within those games. If you sit down at a roulette table – real or virtual – and start betting big on single numbers without any plan in mind, then in the long run you are going to lose. Choose games that give the player a good chance of a return, and play the percentages within those games. That means Come Out and Pass Line bets in Craps, and using correct strategy in blackjack.

Something else to bear in mind is that you have got to take advantage of the best casino bonuses out there. This is an area where online casinos are far superior to the brick and mortar variety. Where a land based casino may comp you a couple of drinks, an online site will give you cash bonuses which you can use to make a profit. Far too many online players look upon their welcome bonus as a free gift which they can splash around without putting in too much thought. This is exactly what the casino hopes you do, since the welcome bonus they give out to new players is one of the biggest risks the casino takes. Use your bonus wisely, on the other hand, and you can turn it into real profits.

First of all let’s get this straight: when a casino gives you a bonus, there will be conditions attached. Online casinos don’t stay in business by giving out cash money which the players could just then withdraw and walk off into the sunset with. You will have to bet a certain amount before this is possible, and that amount is usually a multiple of your bonus, or sometimes deposit and bonus combined. So let’s say that you make a deposit of $100 and get a $100 bonus with a x30 wagering requirement before it can be withdrawn. This means you’ve got to spend $3,000 in the casino to release your bonus funds. Sounds impossible? Not at all!

Stick to the previous rules about playing games with good odds. However you should bear in mind that most bonuses require play on slot games to count towards wagering requirements. In that case you need to choose a slot with a good return to player, and then make minimum bets. This last part is important, and it’s also where most players go wrong. It can be a slow process working through that much money with small bets, but that is how to maximise your chances of success because the slot game’s real odds (hopefully 97% or better) will average out over the long term. That would mean if you played enough games on a 97% slot, you would get $97 of your bonus back, which is a pretty good deal! Hit a few bonus rounds and you can even make a profit. Just stay patient and don’t fall into the temptation of making big bets, because that is exactly how to lose your bonus money fast. Why not be one of the minority of players who maxes out their casino opening bonus instead, by playing smart!